“We’re building a next-generation mine—and that means we need a next-generation workforce. One that’s innovative, confident, capable, and reflective of the community we are a part of.”
— Akmaral Muan, Principal – Learning & Training
At South32 Hermosa, workforce development is more than preparing people for jobs, it’s about preparing them for lifelong careers. From hands-on technical training to broader skill-building, we are creating educational pathways that will help residents of Santa Cruz County thrive for decades to come.
The approach is intentional: we have committed to hiring 80% of our workforce from Santa Cruz County, a responsibility the team takes seriously. To make that possible, we’re investing in the tools, programs, and partnerships needed to ensure local residents are ready before operations begin.
But hiring locally is just the starting point. The true focus is on preparing people for long-term success by equipping them with both technical and foundational skills—from communication and leadership to safety and adaptability.
This commitment is already taking shape through a partnership with the Santa Cruz Center and Pima Community College, which has created an Electrician Certificate Program in the region. It’s the first of several initiatives designed to expand access to in-demand skills and open doors to lasting careers right in Santa Cruz County.
The team’s goal is to empower, not just train, and to help participants build a broad skillset that includes safe work practices, leadership and communication, adaptability to new technologies, and team-based collaboration.
Whether someone becomes a technician, operator, accountant, or chooses a different path altogether, our workforce programs are designed to provide skills that last no matter where their career takes them.
From day one, the focus has been on education, safety, and individual support as core parts of Hermosa’s culture. By creating learning environments where people feel confident and equipped to grow, South32 is helping build more than a workforce—it’s helping build a stronger, more prepared community.